Pure design: Stand-alone photographs

Page 1


mario garcia

Stand-alone photographs We all like stories accompanied by good photos. Editors and designers everywhere try hard to find that one “visual” that fits perfectly with the text. Sometimes it does not happen. That is when we appeal to our next best solution: the stand-alone photo. In today's environment, with readers sweeping rapidly through the pages of the newspaper, stand-alone photos are a quick way to provide good graphic impact on the page. Many stories can and should be told only through photos. Brief texts do the job. Stand alones can also serve as navigational devices. A stand-alone a sports event on page one may capture our attention, and refer us to a complete story inside. Some tips on how to best use standalone photos: 

Place a good headline over the photo (the headline can also appear below the photo, but I always recommend the superior position for more effective packaging). Box or rule the photo, headline, and caption, to guarantee that the stand alone photo does not “float” on the page, or appear to be related to stories around it. Never write a block of text under a stand-alone photo that is deeper than the photograph. Captions of six to nine lines are ideal. Otherwise, write a story. 

168


pure design

Pictures tell a story: The Las Vegas Review Journal uses a stand-alone photo to tell the story without resorting to the traditional headline and text combination. Readers who scan headlines and look at photos enjoy this type of treatment, as they get information without having to read much text. Stand-alone photos can be used to lead readers to an inside page where the story develops further, or they can just offer enough information on the

169


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.